Word
inactivation
Phoneticsin·ac·ti·va·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
/ˌɪˌnæktɪˈveɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the process of making something stop working or become less active. In science, it often describes how a virus or a chemical loses its power to cause harm.
n. the process of rendering a substance, organism, or mechanism ineffective or non-functional. Often refers to the neutralization of biological agents like viruses or enzymes.
Examples
“The vaccine uses inactivation to stop the virus from spreading.”
“Researchers are studying the inactivation of specific genes to understand how they affect the body's immune response.”
“The rapid inactivation of the enzyme by high temperatures explains why the chemical reaction ceases immediately once the heat source is removed.”
Examples
simple
“The vaccine uses inactivation to stop the virus from spreading.”
contextual
“Researchers are studying the inactivation of specific genes to understand how they affect the body's immune response.”
complex
“The rapid inactivation of the enzyme by high temperatures explains why the chemical reaction ceases immediately once the heat source is removed.”
Real-World Examples
“Cats are already known for lacking a "sweet tooth," but this marks the first recorded case in felids involving the inactivation of genes tied to sour taste perception.” “The experiments revealed that the histone variant H2A.W promotes DNA methylation at transposons, facilitating their inactivation.” Etymology
From in- + activation or inactive + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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